College Football Playoff 2014-15: TV Schedule, Predictions for Anticipated Games

As thrilling as the college football season was, the inaugural College Football Playoff has the look of two memorable matchups. Four of the most illustrious teams will do battle with only two earning the right to play for a national championship.

The four teams making the field are Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State. Each of the top six teams won its final game during championship weekend, but only four won their conferences with Baylor and TCU sharing the Big 12 title.

Needless to say, the Big 12 might still be asking, "What might have been?" Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have a shot at Alabama to potentially match up with either Oregon or Florida State for a national title.

Prior to the bowl season kicking off, here's a look at the viewing information and predictions for the most anticipated games.

Bowl	Date	Matchup	TV	Predicted Winner
Sugar	Jan. 1	No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State	ESPN	Alabama
Rose	Jan. 1	No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State	ESPN	Oregon
Cotton	Jan. 1	Michigan State vs. Baylor	ESPN	Baylor
Orange	Dec. 31	Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech	ESPN	Mississippi State
Fiesta	Dec. 31	Boise State vs. Arizona	ESPN	Boise State
Peach	Dec. 31	Ole Miss vs. TCU	ESPN	Ole Miss

Playoff Predictions

Coming into the season as the defending national champions, the Seminoles looked the part of a title contender. Despite being the only team to run the table this year, FSU still comes into the playoff with question marks surrounding the team.

The Noles will look to silence their critics in the first semifinal against Oregon. After taking down a potent offense in Georgia Tech, coach Jimbo Fisher spoke about his team's resilience, via Marc Tracy of The New York Times:

“Last year’s team was dominating,” Fisher said. “This year’s team, the word is more ‘amazing.’”

Rather than blowing out every opponent this season, Florida State has mounted several major comebacks. If any team embodies what the Seminoles were able to accomplish last season, it's Oregon.

The season after Jameis Winston ran away with the Heisman Trophy, Marcus Mariota appears to have done the same this year. Now, the two will do battle for the right to compete for a title.

However, the comparison isn't quite the same this season with Winston struggling on the field. SportsCenter provides a look at the statistics for the quarterback matchup:

If Mariota can put on a similar show to the Pac-12 Championship Game, expect the Ducks to throttle the Seminoles. FSU may have earned the right to make the playoff, but Oregon won't allow a comeback on New Year's Day.

Following the Rose Bowl, the Sugar Bowl pits two great coaches in Nick Saban and Urban Meyer against one another. When Alabama and Ohio State face off, it will mark the fourth time between them as Meyer looks to even up the series after losing the last two games.

Even after OSU came away with the Big Ten championship, Barrett Sallee of Bleacher Report believes it won't be close, via B/R Radio:

Both teams have faced adversity this season, but Alabama still has one of the best defenses in the country. Along with elite offensive weapons like Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon, the Crimson Tide have an all-around team to take down the Buckeyes.

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